Iran's president blasts U.S. and Israel at U.N., challenges Trump's threats

A defiant speech in New York

"Are we the sources of instability? We only seek to live independently."

The appearance was notable for another reason. As The New York Times noted, no other head of state has delivered remarks at the U.N. in person while their country was in an active war against the U.S.

His comments came a day after Donald Trump's U.N. speech, as he pushed a storyline that a deal would land immediately following the Nov. 3 midterm elections. On Wednesday, Trump was absent from the hall, having gone back to Washington before Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit.

War, civilian casualties, and accountability claims

Pezeshkian spotlighted a strike on day one of the war: a Tomahawk hit on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran. Reports put the death toll at more than 150, including approximately 120 children, though figures vary. In March, the Times reported that a preliminary military probe found the U.S. responsible, while the Pentagon has not issued its official conclusions.

Earlier this month, the U.N.'s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran stated it had "reasonable grounds" indicating the U.S. perpetrated a war crime by "launching indiscriminate attacks," which it said killed or injured civilians, including the school strike.

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Tehran's military, ahead of Pezeshkian's address, dismissed Trump's latest threats as "a sign of strategic desperation" and said it is prepared to escalate its own attacks. On Iran's nuclear posture, Pezeshkian said, "To defend our country, we do not seek anyone's permission," adding, "No nuclear weapons and no limitations to new peaceful nuclear technology."

Trump's tough talk and a disputed meeting timeline

On Tuesday, Trump blasted the U.N. Human Rights Council as "craven hypocrites" and said he has a "big decision to make" - specifically, whether to strike a deal with Iran or "annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly." He also asked, "Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?"

Later that day, Trump told reporters a "very good" three-hour meeting took place between U.S. officials and Iranian envoys on the U.N.'s sidelines.

Washington has repeated that its goal is to ensure Iran is never able to acquire a nuclear weapon. Iran says it is not seeking those weapons and insists on its right to a peaceful nuclear program.

Why this matters for your money

Diplomacy is inching forward when even the clock length is in dispute. That leaves energy and shipping risk front and center. The Strait of Hormuz still sets a lot of the world's fuel rhythm, and scrutiny of the Minab strike is ongoing.

If your budget feels it when oil jumps or supply lanes wobble, keep an eye on three levers: any movement on a safe shipping corridor, actions around frozen Iranian assets, and clarity on the reported blockade. Those are the pressure points that show up in prices you actually pay.

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